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Friday 4 March 2011

The uprising in Libya is evolving into a full-blown civil war with rebels in the oil rich eastern city of Brega fending off fresh air attacks from the pro-Gaddafi air force. The US president says it's time for Moamar Gaddafi to step down but Gaddafi's son Saif insists the country remains "united". More

The rebels in Brega gained a massive moral boost after holding off pro-Gaddafi forces. There's speculation that the airforce is deliberately missing targets, Gaddafi can't stem army desertion and that mercenaries hired by Gaddafi are reluctant to take large casualties. More

Seven female protesters were shot dead in the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan as they called on Laurent Gbagbo to concede defeat in last November's disputed presidential election. His opponent, Alassane Ouattara, remains blockaded in a city hotel, protected by UN troops. Both have set up rival governments, but the country remains paralysed. More

The Federal Opposition accuses the Government of pandering to the politics of envy with the inclusion of detailed financial data in the latest edition of the My School website. The Government says it's simply making information available to enhance public debate. More

The Federal Government has announced a review of natural disaster insurance that will consider, among other things, a national disaster fund. It will largely focus on the availability and affordability of cover, but it will also look at potential for the Government in providing insurance to the private sector. More

A leaked Federal Government report has slammed the operators of an expensive rehabilitation centre in South Australia. The Federal Government built the $4 million centre in 2008 to address petrol sniffing and drug abuse on the remote Aboriginal lands. But it's been under-used and has caused resentment in the community. More

The offence of defensive homicide was introduced in Victoria in 2005 in an effort to see battered women dealt with more compassion if they'd murdered their partners. But so far 13 men have been convicted of the offence and only one woman, which has led to a review of the law. More

The Environmental Protection Authority in Western Australia may soon deliver an early assessment for a proposed coal mine in Margaret River. LD Operations wants to exploit an underground seam 15 kilometres from the town itself, which would make it the first mine in the region famous for its wines. More

Dogs have been dying from liver failure after eating camel pet meat. The deaths were caused by a toxin found in some desert plants eaten by camels. But the camel industry says the toxin isn't widespread and food authorities say there's no evidence it could cause illness in people. More

A leading risk analyst says a landmark court case between failed US bank Lehman Brothers and local councils will help clarify the responsibilities of financial advisers and investors. Satyajit Das is a risk consultant who predicted the global credit crunch and the sovereign debt crisis. More

The Economist says Australian house prices are over valued by 56 per cent, making them the most over priced in the world. But even one of the leading proponents of the argument that the housing market is in a bubble says 56 per cent is probably stretching it. More